October 8, 2026
Thursday Bulletin – October 8, 2026
Executive Director’s Message
From Richard Pearson
FREE ADMISSION AND BRING A FRIEND!!!
Join us as we celebrate 100 years of the ISRA Range! This milestone honors generations of Illinois firearm owners committed to safety, education, marksmanship, and the responsible defense of constitutional rights. Open to all ISRA members. Onsite memberships will be available for purchase.
Enjoy a day on the range with fellow members, families, youth, and new shooters. Expect safe shooting activities, history displays, and chances to learn more about our training programs, competitions, and leagues.
If you haven’t RSVP’d already, please call the ISRA office at (815) 635-3198 to let us know you’ll be there.
Reserve your tickets – CLICK HERE.
Scan the QR Code below to RSVP.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gary Daugherty, a longtime volunteer with Americans for Prosperity–Illinois and the momentum behind starting the ISRA NW Suburban Town Hall. Gary’s commitment to service also included serving as an Illinois State Representative and a Kane County Board member. He generously gave his time and energy to making his community and our state a better place.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family, his girlfriend Candy, and everyone who loved him.
Thank you for your service, your strong voice and your friendship, Gary. You will be missed.
The Illinois State Rifle Association is opening a new Precision Air Pistol program for shooters who want to improve their fundamentals, accuracy, concentration, and consistency.
The program begins Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the ISRA Range in Bonfield, Illinois.
Sessions will continue every Thursday evening, except holidays, inside the clubhouse air gun range.
Precision Air Pistol teaches the fundamentals behind delivering a consistent and accurate shot. Shooters will work on concentration, sight alignment, trigger control, shot execution, and repeatability.
Several drills will be used throughout the program to improve focus and build stronger shooting habits. Participants should be prepared for a long-term commitment to developing their skills. No Equipment Required.
The ISRA will supply the equipment you need, including air pistols, pellets, targets, and eye and ear protection.
With only eight new shooter openings available, interested participants are encouraged to contact the office as soon as possible. Call us @ (815)635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org
Montana wildlife officials euthanized 14 black bears near Bozeman last week after discovering that someone had been illegally feeding them at a home north of the city. When game wardens inspected the property on Sept. 24 and 25, they found the bears were highly dependent on human food and showed no fear of people, posing a serious threat to public safety. Officials said the bears could not be rehabilitated or safely relocated because they had lost the ability and motivation to forage naturally.
One cub was rescued and taken to a wildlife facility in Helena, where officials hope it can eventually be placed in an accredited zoo. The investigation into how the bears came to the property remains open, and authorities emphasized that Montana law prohibits feeding wild game. Residents are urged to secure garbage, pet food, bird feeders and other attractants, use bear-resistant containers or electric fencing, and report bears near homes or businesses as soon as possible so conflicts can be addressed before they become dangerous.
To read the full story by Ryan Wilby of TheVenatic.com , Oct. 1, 2026 – CLICK HERE.
The Supreme Court of the United States is back in session. Here we go!
ISRA continues fighting for Illinois gun owners through litigation involving gun and magazine restrictions, concealed carry, firearm regulations, FOID issues, the rights of young adults, suppressor restrictions, and other Second Amendment issues.
These cases require attorneys. They require legal research, briefs, appeals, filings, experts, and years of determined work. That work costs money — and we need your help to keep doing it.
Help Fund ISRA Litigation Efforts.
Every contribution helps ISRA continue defending the constitutional rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners. To make a contribution to ISRA Litigation efforts today, CLICK HERE.
Want to see the other legal battles ISRA is fighting? Visit ISRA Litigation page HERE.
.
Thank you for standing with the ISRA as we defend the rights of law-abiding Illinois gun owners!
Veto session is on the way and we are waiting. We will keep you apprised of any news on legislation as we become aware of it
The up-coming 2026 veto session dates for the Illinois Senate are:
November 17th, 18th, 19th and December 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
You can find downloadable PDF versions of the House calendar HERE and the Senate calendar HERE to view all the legislative session deadlines.
The ISRA maintains a list of the most important bills under consideration in the Illinois State Legislature; the most current list is always the ISRA Legislation Page. Click and follow along!
When anti-gun politicians pass another restriction, Illinois gun owners need an organization prepared to challenge it.
When a lower court refuses to follow Supreme Court precedent, we need to keep appealing.
And when a major Second Amendment case reaches the United States Supreme Court, ISRA needs to be there! However, it costs much more to force a correction in the courts than it does to prevent offending legislation from happening in the first place!
STAND WITH ISRA.
Help us continue the legislative fight for Illinois gun owners in Springfield.
To make a contribution to our Legislative efforts today, CLICK HERE.
Not an ISRA member? Join the ISRA and support 2A rights in Illinois – CLICK HERE.
For more information on how you can help, call the ISRA office at (815) 635-3198, or e-mail us at member@isra.org today.
We offer 18 different shooting leagues. Some are weekly and some are monthly, and all of them are fun. There is no better place to learn new things and for camaraderie while you improve on your marksmanship skills. It’s a great place for you to shoot!
For more info on Classes, Leagues, Special Events and more,
go to the ISRA Range Calendar – CLICK HERE.
Come and meet fellow activists and learn the latest on protecting our Second Amendment Rights!
Livingston County – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
Madison County – 1st Wednesday of the month – Piasa Armory, 625 Lewis and Clark Blvd., East Alton, IL; Doors open at 6:15pm; Meeting starts at 6:30pm
Northwest Suburban – Algonquin/Dundee area – This meeting is being reorganized to better engage area ISRA members. More information will be posted when available.
South Suburban/Cook County – 2nd Thursday of the month – Barraco’s Pizza, 13445 S. Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL; Doors open 6:00pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm; Buffet is $20.
Will County – 3rd Wednesday of the month – Silver Dollar Restaurant, 422 E. Mississippi Ave., Elwood, IL; Doors open 6pm; Meeting 7pm – 8pm
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” ~ Thomas Payne
Drawing on November 5th!
CLICK HERE to order tickets online!!
Ticket prices:
1 Ticket – $20
3 Tickets – $50
8 Tickets – $100
25 Tickets – $250
60 Tickets – $500
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.
Please Read The Fine print:
For more information on this raffle, CLICK HERE.
For other questions or information on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815)635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org
Chances To Win Every Evening In November!
Enter the GUNS OF NOVEMBER RAFFLE to stand with the Illinois State Rifle Association. Your participation helps defend the rights protected by the Bill of Rights and supports safe, responsible firearm ownership.
A GUN DRAWING WILL BE HELD EVERY EVENING IN NOVEMBER. 4 chances to win with each ticket, your numbers will be picked from the Illinois Pick 4 Evening Lottery.
PLUS! Get a BONUS CHANCE to win a HK CC9 OPTIC READY 9MM PISTOL with each 5 ticket purchase made by October 24, 2026!
CLICK HERE to order tickets online!!
Ticket Donations:
1 ticket for $25
5 tickets for $100
Please Read The Fine print:
The Illinois State Rifle Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, donations to Illinois State Rifle Association are not tax-deductible. Prize must be claimed within 90 days of drawing.
For more information on this raffle, CLICK HERE.
For other questions or information on this raffle, contact:
ISRA – PO Box 637 – Chatsworth, IL 60921
(815)635-3198 or E-Mail: member@isra.org
“Money can only buy happiness if you spend it on freedom.
Join the ISRA today.” ~ Richard Pearson
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start time.
*Every Thursday (unless otherwise noted) ISRA Precision Air Pistol Training – Range 12 & Clubhouse – 5:30pm – 7:00pm
*** Please contact academy@isra.org for any training or class questions and check the ISRA Range for links to dates, times, descriptions of ISRA activities and events.
Click for Illinois Shooter – Summer 2026
If you would like to donate to us, please CLICK HERE.
Thank you for your support!
To Join the ISRA, CLICK HERE.
The Battle of Yorktown was the culminating moment in the Revolutionary War, although it wasn’t apparent even to all those involved how far the shock wave of the American victory would carry.
For the United States to win the Battle of Yorktown, a great number of moving parts had to come together at just the right moment. George Washington wanted the battle to be fought in New York, so he positioned the Continental Army in New York. He, having been a frontier general, was focused on keeping his poorly trained, poorly equipped and sometimes poorly led Continental Army together. General Rochambeau, who was on loan to the Americans from French King Louis XVI, thought it should be fought in Virginia because the terrain was better.
George Washington, Nathanael Greene, Francis Marion, “Light Horse” Harry Lee and others were engaged in guerilla warfare designed to exhaust and demoralize the British forces. The knew they could not face the British head on and win. The French, however, were experts at traditional warfare and also had a powerful navy that could go head-to-head with the British Navy. French General Rochambeau, fortunately, supplied that traditional warfare expertise.
The Revolutionary War had shifted to the South because there were many British sympathizers in the South. British General Cornwallis was looking for support from Southern loyalist militias to help him. However, Cornwallis was ordered to move the British Army to Yorktown, Virginia, to be reinforced and resupplied by sea. Yorktown offered a deep-water port which made it easy for British ships to enter and unload.
The Continental Army was in the North, as was the French Army under Rochambeau. The French Navy was in the East Indies but, in August of 1781, French Admiral de Grasse sent a letter to Rochambeau telling him that he was moving the French Fleet north to Chesapeake Bay in September. With this new information, Washington changed his mind and decided to move the Continental and the French Armies South. Word was sent to the Marquis de Layfette to engage the British and prevent them from moving North. As Patriot forces in the south began moving towards Yorktown, British Admiral Graves was supposed to deliver supplies and reinforcements to Cornwallis, but an encounter with the French Fleet and a tropical storm had damaged his ships. This made it impossible for Graves to reach Cornwallis in time, although this would not be realized until later. All the pieces were coming together.
The Battle of Yorktown was really the siege of Yorktown. Cornwallis built a main fortification with 10 smaller fortifications, known as redoubts, protecting it. The French, however, were experts at laying a siege. Continental and French troops dug zigzag trenches leading up to the fortifications, making very difficult for the British to attack advancing troops, as heavy guns were put in place and the bombardment began. One by one, American and French troops attacked and captured the redoubts. Admiral de Grasse blocked the port. On October 14th, a surprise attack on the last two remaining redoubts, numbers 9 and 10, by American and French troops sealed Cornwallis’ fate. Cornwallis made a desperate attempt to escape by sea on October 16th, but it quickly failed. The next day, General Henry Clinton set sail with 5000 British troops and supplies to save Cornwallis, but it was too late. On October 19th, Cornwallis agreed to surrender.
The surrender, in and of itself, was a dramatic affair. The British had forced Americans to sheath our flags when we lost a battle and had to surrender – a move designed to humiliate the enemy. Washington insisted on the same thing for the British. American and French troops formed a corridor a mile long with American troops on one side and French on the other. British soldiers were made to walk down the entire length of the corridor to surrender their arms. Cornwallis plead Illness, ordering his second in command, General Charles O’Hara, to surrender his sword to Washington. Washington refused and had his second in command, General Benjamin Lincoln, accept the sword. Two days later, Washington invited Cornwallis to dinner. While there, Cornwallis complemented Washington on his escape from New York and his victory at Trenton. He admitted these as being the two best military operations of the war.
The American Victory sent a shock-wave through the British Government. Lord Fredrick North, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, upon hearing the news exclaimed “Oh God! It’s over!” A colleague of North’s described North’s reaction, upon hearing the news, as “If he had taken a ball to the breast.” North insisted on military intervention in the colonies and was now being blamed, along with Cornwallis, for the loss. A few months later, North resigned. King George wrote a letter of abdication but never sent it. The following year the British House of Commons passed a resolution stating that anyone who suggested war with the new United States be tried for treason. Cornwallis returned to England and was roundly blamed by the press, but the King did not see it that way. It did not ruin Cornwallis’ career. He was subsequently appointed Major Imperial for India.
The Marquis de Layette returned to France and spent the rest of his life in service to his county. He survived the French Revolution and was opposed to execution of the nobility. Rochambeau returned to France and was highly acclaimed. Louie XVI appointed him Governor of the Provence of Picardy. He was awarded France’s highest military honor, “Marshal of France”. He survived the French Revolution and retired peacefully.
George Washington decided to retire to Mount Vernon, but history had other plans for him. He chaired the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and became the first President of the United States. He refused the title of King and set the course for the United States to this day and beyond. King George, upon hearing Washington had turned down the title of King, believed Washington was the greatest man who ever lived. I agree with King George.
October 8, 1918 – In another story of heroism in World War I, Corporal Alvin C. York single-handedly kills 23 German soldiers and captures 132 more. York was ahead of a small detachment near the Muese River. York’s feat was accomplished through the use of his superior marksmanship skills.
October 10, 1845 – U.S. Naval Academy opens in Annapolis, Maryland. Originally, it was known as the Naval School, but was renamed the Naval Academy in 1850. The curriculum required students to attend classes during the normal school year and develop a trade aboard ship in the summertime. This has not changed since its inception.
October 10, 1877 – The United States Army holds a formal funeral for Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer who was killed at the battle of Little Big Horn. Custer had graduated at the bottom of his class in 1861 during the Civil War. He gained a reputation of being a bold commander who was sometimes foolhardy. Custer would be the youngest Major General in the United States Army.
October 12, 1492 – Christopher Columbus reaches the New World. He actually landed in the Bahamas and claimed the land for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain. He was actually looking for a direct route to China and Asia and thought that he had landed in Japan.
For a long time, Columbus was given credit for discovering the New World but, actually, the Vikings had colonies in the New World in the 10th century.
October 12, 2000 – The USS Cole is attacked by terrorists. 17 sailors and 38 others were wounded in the attack. The terrorists were part of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network.
October 13, 1775 – The Continental Congress authorizes the construction and administration of the first American Naval force. Happy birthday, United States Navy – 250 years and going strong!
October 14, 1912 – Presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt is shot in Milwaukee by a saloon keeper named John Schrank. The 32 caliber bullet was aimed directly at Roosevelt’s heart. Roosevelt’s heavy coat, glasses case and manuscript slowed the bullet.
Roosevelt pulled the bloody manuscript from his coat pocket and kept on speaking for 84 minutes with the bullet still lodged in his chest. Teddy was a tough one!
“I am frequently asked if the ISRA sells our membership list. The answer is absolutely not.” ~ Richard Pearson
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be accurate, sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
If your club or organization is holding a gun show, event or class, let us know the details, and we’d be happy to post it in our Weekly Range Schedule.
Oct. 17 – 18, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Oct. 24 – 25, 2026 Belleville Gun & Knife Show, Belle-Clair Fairgrounds, Belleville, IL.
Oct. 24 – 25, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Nov. 7 – 8, 2026 Bloomington Gun & Knife Show, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL.
Nov. 21 – 22, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Nov. 28 – 29, 2026 Sauk Trail Gun Collectors Gun Show, Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton, IL.
Dec. 5 – Dec. 6, 2026 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Chillicothe, IL.
Dec. 12 – 13, 2026 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Fairgrounds, Kankakee, IL.
Feb. 13 – 14, 2027 Central Illinois Gun Collectors Association – New Berlin Gun Show, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL.
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
Richard Pearson
If you are not an ISRA member, join TODAY!
Donate: isra.org/support-us/
Upcoming Meetings: isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/